RACE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE 10.00BST Jun 23

The Islanders are in English waters, having covered an important 30 miles since being forced to anchor and fight strong winds yesterday. With winds currently from the West, the Islanders are rowing steadily at 3 knots to complete GB Row 2013, the toughest rowing race in the world.

Can they still break that elusive fastest time World Record? It’s 350 miles to go and there is 5 days left, so – to succeed, they need to row at least 70 miles a day all the way in.

It’s still possible – and they are very focussed with “plenty left in the tank” (quote from Skipper Josh Taylor), but they must have the weather with them for a few days. Another 6 hours on the anchor, waiting for the winds and waves to shift in their favour and their valiant effort to emulate the 4 Army rowers of 2005, will evaporate – and their focus will have to change to finishing safely and collecting the £15,000 first prize.

It’s going to be a nail-biter for the next few days.

Come on the Islanders.

You can help – get behind them and wish them luck with morale boosting emails/texts/calls/messages/tweets etc that can be inspirational after nearly one month at sea, rowing 24/7 (2hours ON, 2 hours OFF) – THE ISLANDERS ARE THE TRUE MEN OF STEEL.